Boise Fire Department

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Boise Fire Department
Operational area
Country United States
State Idaho
County Ada
City Boise
Agency overview[1]
EstablishedJanuary 24, 1876
Annual calls19,400+ (2021)[1]
Employees267 (2021)[2]
Annual budget$59,523,387 (2021)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefChief Mark Niemeyer (2020)[3]
EMS levelALS & BLS
IAFF149
Motto"Pride, Dedication, Service"
Facilities and equipment
Divisions4
Battalions3 (9 Battalion Chiefs)
Stations18
Engines16
Trucks3
Tenders2
HAZMAT1
USAR1
Airport crash3
Wildland8
Website
Official website
IAFF website

The Boise Fire Department is the agency that provides fire suppression services within the city of Boise, Idaho and contract services to two suburban fire districts including the city of Garden City and village of Hidden Springs. It is the largest fire department in Idaho. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are provided by the separate county agency, Ada County Paramedics.[4] Currently, Boise Fire Department has 300+ full time employees, 17 Fire Stations, a Hazardous Materials Team, ARFF team, Dive Team and a Technical Rescue Team. The Department serves a population of 236,000 residents in 130+ square miles.

History[edit]

Boise's first fire department was created on January 24, 1876; consisting of 28 volunteers. Engine Company #1 and Hook and Ladder Company #1 were housed in a converted blacksmith shop at 619 Main St., a one-story wood building which, ironically, burned down on Sept. 23, 1883. In 1902, the city created a paid, professional fire department with a part-time chief, three drivers and "pay-per-call" stokers and firefighters. The 1940's population growth led to a large expansion. The 1950's saw the introduction of radios and the dispatch office, but also saw a number of major downtown structure fires. The 1960's saw a staff of 107 firefighters with a call volume exceeding 1,000 alarms for the first time. The airport also needed specific Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) equipment, and another station was built on-site in 1965. The 1970's saw 14 new pieces of equipment and vehicles purchased. With Boise's population reaching 102,000 in 1980, the department could not keep up. In 1982, over $2.46 million was lost due to an arson spree. And by 1989, the call volume was exceeding 7,000 call annually. The 1990's saw new construction, and upgraded training facility and grew to 15 stations by 1998.[5]

Their first female captain was promoted in 2019.[6]

Organization[edit]

The department has four (4) divisions as well as a Pipe and Drum corp and an Honor Guard.

Bureaus[edit]

  • Emergency Services
  • Support Services
  • Planning and Administration
  • Bureau of Fire Prevention

Operations[edit]

Fire Station Locations and Apparatus (2021)[edit]

Central Fire Station (1903) in Boise, Idaho, is part of the Boise Historic District.

The BFD firefighting operations are based out of the city's 17 local fire stations.

Address Engine Companies or other units EMS Units* Truck Companies Date Other
1 707 Reserve Street Engine 1, Dive 1, Brush 1 1892 Foothills Rescue unit & Battalion #1[7]
2 3551 Cartwright Road Engine 2, Brush 2 1906 [8]
3 2202 Gekeler Lane Engine 3 Medic 13 1912 Original engine "Old 13" is fully restored.[9]
4 8485 Ustick Road Engine 4 Truck 4 1950 Battalion #2[10]
5 212 S. 16th Street Engine 5 Ladder 5 1906 Being shut down and replaced.[11][12][13]
6 6933 Franklin Road Engine 6
7 1666 Commerce Street Engine 7, Rescue 7, Squad 7 Truck 7 2003 105-foot Ladder Tower[14]
8 3575 W. Overland Road Engine 8, 22 Medic 18 1956 [15]
9 3101 Sycamore Engine 9, Brush 9 1975 [16]
10 12065 West McMillan Engine 10 Medic 28 1994 [17]
11 10895 Emerald Engine 11 1979 [18]
12 3240 State Highway 21 Engine 12, Brush 12 1998 [19]
14 2515 S. Five Mile Rd Engine 14, Water Tender 14, Brush 14 2007 Replaced #21.Whitney Fire District, Ada County Sheriff sub-station[20]
15 3676 E. Warm Springs Ave Engine 15, Brush 15 2013 Replaced Station#22 [21]
16 5800 Glenwood St Engine 16, Water Tender 16, Brush 16 1967 [22]
17 3801 S. Cole Road Engine 17, Haz-Mat 17 2010 Battalion #3 [23]
18 3895 Chinden Boulevard Medic 22 1979 (inactive)Recruit Academy Training[24]
19 ARFF 2855 Lockheed Lane ARFF Smokey 7, 9, 10 1965 Boise Airport[25]
20 5871 Hidden Springs Drive 1999 Not staffed[26]

* EMS Services supplied by Ada County Paramedics


See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Budget 2021" (PDF). City of Boise. p. 18. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  2. ^ Misty Inglet (December 13, 2019). "Boise Fire welcomes 21 new firefighters in department's largest graduate academy". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  3. ^ "Meridian's Emergency Operations Manager tapped as new Boise fire chief". November 2, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  4. ^ "Ada County Paramedics". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  5. ^ "Boise Fire:Department History". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  6. ^ "Boise firefighter becomes first female fire captain in city's history". June 25, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  7. ^ "Boise Fire Station #1". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  8. ^ "Boise Fire Station #2". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  9. ^ "Boise Fire Station #3". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  10. ^ "Boise Fire Station #4". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  11. ^ "Boise Fire Station #5". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  12. ^ Ryan Suppe (April 15, 2021). "Boise to replace aging downtown fire station, add affordable housing". KTVB. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  13. ^ Margaret Carmel (April 14, 2021). "Boise to replace downtown fire station, add affordable housing". BoiseDev. Retrieved Aug 20, 2021.
  14. ^ "Boise Fire Station #7". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  15. ^ "Boise Fire Station #8". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  16. ^ "Boise Fire Station #9". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  17. ^ "Boise Fire Station #10". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  18. ^ "Boise Fire Station #11". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  19. ^ "Boise Fire Station #12". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  20. ^ "Boise Fire Station #14". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  21. ^ "Boise Fire Station #15". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  22. ^ "Boise Fire Station #16". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  23. ^ "Boise Fire Station #17". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  24. ^ "Boise Fire Station #18". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  25. ^ "Boise Fire Station #19". Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  26. ^ "Boise Fire Station #20". Retrieved July 27, 2021.

External links[edit]


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